T-100 imPRESSion
T-100 imPRESSion is an extension of the slogan on the sign outside Loretta’s University Cleaners – “Let us imPRESS you.
Tuskegee: Friday at Loretta’s University Cleaners can be a busy day.
Her loyal customers come in like clock-work to pick up their promised dry cleaning and laundry. But this particular Friday, the weekend of the annual Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic in Columbus, was steady but not fourth down and goal busy.
Loretta Alexander is a huge Golden Tiger football fan. She attends nearly every game and closes the cleaners by noon on Saturday to ensure she can get to the football games. The window art on the cleaners’ storefront reflects her love for Tuskegee, its amazing history, Tuskegee University and of, course Golden Tiger football.
“One of my favorite customers brought that idea to me a few years ago and had a company design the artwork for the windows with historic pictures of Booker T. Washington, George Washington Carver, the Tuskegee Airmen and other recognizable Tuskegee history,” recalls Loretta.
“We get comments all the time about how eye-catching the window art is. Some people stop by just to take pictures in front of the storefront. We love it when they ask if they can take a picture with a certain image that brings special historical significance to them. We always say be our guest,” she says.
These days, Loretta also beams about the possibility of adding a new image to the window as in the T-100 jet trainer and a new logo of Leonardo DRS, the American company bidding to build the jet trainer and a new aerospace manufacturing plant at historic Moton Field in her beloved Tuskegee. A decision is expected within the next few months.
“I’ll make room for that logo for sure,” adds Loretta. “We believe Leonardo DRS will win the U. S. Air Force contract to build the aerospace facility. ‘When We Win‘, as Leonardo executives say, that will mean a rebirth of Tuskegee, another chance to really grow our community and another huge reason for our young people to stay in Tuskegee because of a brighter future for them with this new plant, says Loretta.”
Loretta makes a point, too, to tell her customers about the T-100 project. She says everyday someone is talking about or asking about the T-100 when they come to the cleaners.
Friday is business-proclaimed, T-100 day at Loretta’s Cleaners when she and her staff wear the new “T-100 Tuskegee Count Me In” button.
“Customers are truly excited about the T-100 jet trainer and the possibility of it coming to historic Moton Field. When they see the button, they ask for it. I’ve given away several buttons but my inventory is getting low,” Loretta says, smiling.
She smiles, too, when she thinks about what this T-100 project will mean for Tuskegee.
- New jobs- 750
- New supplier related jobs – 4000
- New revenue for Tuskegee and Macon County -Millions
- New families moving into the area – Hundreds, even thousands in a few years
- New clothes to clean -No telling how many
“This is a huge opportunity for Tuskegee. This is a chance for our young people to be exposed to and learn about aviation, aerospace, cybersecurity, drone research and all of the related industry dynamics. Tuskegee, once again, shapes the world through this 21st century jet training facility. You can see why I’m talking to my customers about this project every single day and why we have adopted a Resolution of Support for the jet trainer.”
And with every great reason.
“All in my lifetime and hopefully very soon,” she says really smiling before she closes up for the weekend to go to the Golden Tiger football game.
